/library/oar/handle/123456789/15234 2025-11-05T19:25:23Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/103335 Title: The implementation of the packaging and packaging waste directive in Maltese legislation Abstract: This thesis entitled 'The Implementation of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive in Maltese Legislation' has the objective in assessing Council Directive 94/62/EC of 1994 on Packaging and Packaging Waste in Malta. This is evaluated in terms of the EU environmental objectives with regards to packaging and packaging waste, safeguarding the smooth operation of the internal market and ensuring that there are no barriers to trade and constraints of competition within the EU. As a background to this thesis an exploration of the packaging waste mechanism in Malta, Belgium and Cyprus is carried out aligned to the EU legislation. Other areas, which are explored, include Subsidiary Legislation 473.05 on Eco-Contribution (Exemption) Regulations and Subsidiary Legislation 473.06 on Eco-Contribution (Granting of Refunds) Regulations, aligned to the national Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations- Subsidiary Legislation 549.43. The lacunae within the Maltese packaging waste legislative framework are highlighted and the need of a more robust legislative framework is apparent. This thesis points out that apart from the effective enforcement of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, national authorities need to invest more in effective measures, through the adoption of economic instruments such as the eco-tax implemented in Belgium. After highlighting the developments mentioned in the Waste Management Plan for the Maltese Islands- A Resource Management Approach 2014-2020, it transpires that the cooperation of every stakeholder especially the householder is pertinent for the effective implementation of Directive 94/62/EC on Packaging and Packaging Waste. It was argued upon that a robust legislative framework alone cannot yield positive results if society does not change its behavior and adopts a sustainable pattern of living. Description: LL.D. 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/103324 Title: The implications of lease accounting changes : an analysis on the banking industry Abstract: The current lease standard IAS 17 has been criticised for permitting companies to account for similar transactions in different ways, compelling analysts to adjust for lease obligations not recognised on the balance sheet. In order to overcome this issue, a new lease standard IFRS 16 was issued in January 2016. The most evident change in IFRS 16 relates to the removal of operating leases, such that under the new standard all lease transactions will be shown on the balance sheet. The new standard consequently has various implications on companies. This dissertation examines the main implications of the new accounting standard on the banking industry from three perspectives; the implications on banks as lessees, the effects on capital requirements, and the impact on banks as lenders. Each perspective is analysed through interviews with informed respondents in the light of comparative literature and research. It is evident that the new standard will have a considerable impact on balance sheets, change debt structures, increase administrative burden, alter leverage ratios, and affect the behaviour of companies with lease commitments. Conversely, results from the analysis of the bank as a lessee shows that the changes in the accounting standard are immaterial for the financial statements, given that lease commitments are not significant. The findings from the analysis on capital requirements suggest that although prudential regulators have not commented on the way forward, respondents were fairly neutral to the effects, again given that the amounts are immaterial. Finally, results on the analysis of banks as lenders reveal that debt covenants may be breached, and consequently covenants will need to be renegotiated before IFRS 16 becomes effective in 2019 once endorsed by the EU. Description: M.A. Fin. Serv.(Melit.) 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/100878 Title: Underwater noise as a new threat to the marine environment, with special reference to marine mammals, mainly cetaceans Abstract: In May 1996, several Cuvier' s beaked whales were found stranded along the coast of Gulf of Kyparissia in Ionian Sea, Greece. The necropsies consisted of a basic examination and did not lead to the discovery of the cause of death. In an attempt to find the cause of the fatal event, marine biologists examined potential options, including meteorological events, pollution, tectonic activity, but nothing seemed to have taken place in the area that could be related to the incident. A leading researcher, Frantzis came across a notice dating several months back from the Greek Hydrographic Service, which relayed a warning from NA TO that "sound detecting system trials" would performed by a research vessel in the area, including coordinates of the Gulf. Tests involved, a Low Frequency Active Sonar (LFAS). The researcher made a link between these two events, claiming that sonar resulted on these negatives effects on the marine mammals. Intense debate was ensued, between scientists and NATO. The strandings were seen as an international benchmark event, prompting the scientific community to deal with a new phenomenon, an environmental threat, namely underwater noise. Following this incident, many other cetacean strandings that took place around the world, for instance, in the Bahamas and the Canary Islands, alarmed the scientists. For the past 10 years, scientific community has attempted to understand better the problem, the effects on cetaceans and the precise reasons causing their deaths, in an attempt to regulate internationally this new threat to the marine environment. The significance of underwater noise lies on the fact that is the primary communication tool for marine mammals, which are based on sound for various needs, such as echolocation. In the marine environment, anthropogenic noise is a result of different sources, where shipping and seismic surveys are the main ones. In areas where the natural and anthropogenic signals meet, data collection has shown in many cases disturbance to marine mammals. Several regional frameworks attempt to deal with underwater noise, for instance in the United States and Europe. One very optimistic attempt is the Marine Strategy Framework Directive-MSFD- and decisions through ACCOBAMS. As underwater noise is a relatively recent issue in the scientific community, this study aims to bring noise to public awareness. Also, due to its interdisciplinary characteristics, the study attempts to provide the basic background, but in the same time the necessary depth to familiarize the readers with this new threat to the marine environment. Last but not least, this thesis aims to work as a bridge combining biological aspects, legal framework and policy making. Description: M.A.OCEAN GOV. 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/70979 Title: Revisiting Schengen : freedom or restriction of movement? Abstract: The events that took place in the last years, particularly the terror attacks in Paris and in Brussels, as well as the migrant crisis, which reached its peak in the summer of 2015, have led to the temporary reintroduction of border controls by a number of Schengen States. In addition, there has been a marked increase in cross-border trafficking and smuggling of persons, and a prevalence of third country nationals over-staying their authorized duration. These incidents have called into question the future of Schengen, creating scope for a debate on whether Schengen's role in enhancing the free movement of persons ought to be revisited. This thesis considers the role of Schengen in the proliferation of the above threats and it is shown that Schengen has made the European Union more vulnerable to cross-border criminality and has indeed exposed it to risk, while the effect of migration regulations have proven to be hugely disproportionate. Moreover, maintaining a secure borderless Union seems to come at a high cost to privacy and data protection. Nevertheless, the right to free movement is at the cornerstone of European citizenship, and Schengen is highly symbolic of the culmination of years of European integration. Civil liberties, citizen rights, and worker mobility are at stake and the reasons for keeping Schengen are found deep in the history of the EU and span various aspects of European law. The thesis concludes that while the cost of maintaining an area without internal borders may be high, the consequences of reintroducing permanent border controls between Member States are significantly more devastating, and would present a serious regression. It is felt that Schengen's role in the free movement of European citizens ought to be protected, and the way forward lies in mitigating the risk through information sharing, better cooperation and improved legislation. Description: LL.D. 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z